How to help elderly loved ones adapt to a new lifestyle.

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As loved ones enter the next season in their lives, it’s important to be supportive and loving especially when changes in health, physical and mental, are inevitable.

Keeping spirits uplifted will make the transition to a new lifestyle so much easier on all.

How to help elderly loved ones adapt to a new lifestyle.

As a physical therapist, my husband says he has to remind so many family members, the biggest danger of handicapping elderly family members lies in their hands… the lack of support and empathy.

Yes, things will change but the important thing is not to push senior family members into their new lifestyle but to gradually ease them into it naturally.

Allow elderly family members to be responsible for chores given to them.

Instead of taking over chores for your elderly loved one, allow them to do it themselves. It may not be done in the time frame you want it to be done nor with as much precision, but allow that margin of allowance. 

Encourage an active lifestyle 

The more active a person remains, the more upbeat and sharp their minds also stay. And yes, it goes without saying that the benefits, physically, outweigh any other. I recently met a 104 year old resident at our local assisted living facility who looks not a day older than 70. Her secret lies in ensuring she remains physically active, taking the stairs and walking instead of opting for the lift or motorized scooter available in the facility.

Lovingly remind them that it is NORMAL to experience bodily changes.

A common occurrence with elderly women is the new challenge of incontinence. The key is to acknowledge this is not a curse but something to be managed even if it means making a few changes to ones lifestyle.

My husband says most women in the nursing home find it hard to come to terms with this new change but once they’re taught what to do, the smile returns to their faces and the feeling of shame is no longer a nagging enemy.

Make kegels a part of one’s daily exercise routine

Kegel exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and many times helps reduce the severity of incontinence.

If bladder control is hard, make it a point to visit the restroom every 2 hours

Also make sure large amounts of liquids are not consumed right before a long drive/flight/outing. If your loved one feels a little unsure about staying dry,  introduce her to TENA® Ultimate Pads (Regular: 33ct).

As a part of the TENA® intimates™ line, the pad has great absorbency with triple protection and the exclusive ProSkin Technology™ (This helps maintain ones skin’s natural protection with the technology because it includes an extra soft top layer, that quickly wicks fluid away from the skin keeping you feeling intimately fresh and clean)

This is definitely convenient and very comfortable to use for those long periods of time outside the house or even that long road trip /flight.

TENA® prides itself with its mantra, Lets You Be You , and its seen in their products.

TENA® ® intimates™ and other TENA® products can be found in your local CVS, in the Incontinence aisle,

or you can order these on CVS.com.

Make sure you cash in on the Ibotta rebate offer to get $4 back on your purchase. (while supplies last)

All in all, supported by a loving friend and family circle,  the transition into a senior lifestyle can actually be quite a comforting experience and not as scary as some feel.

 

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